Low-income fathers and their infants: Interactions during teaching episodes

This study sought to explore low-income father-infant interactions in teach ing situations. Forty-four biological fathers and infants, recruited from a n ongoing study of early intervention, were observed using the NCAST Teachi ng Scale during a teaching task in the home. Results indicated that fathers who lived with their infants were more sensitive to infant cues during the interactions. Also, fathers identified as "lower risk," based on a risk in dex created from demographic characteristics, were more sensitive to their infants during interactions, had higher total father NCAST scores and highe r total NCAST scores during teaching interactions.